By Sunday 
A Smart Signing Before a Big Test
The Detroit Lions aren’t hiding their game plan heading into Week 3. Just days before their road matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit signed wide receiver/quarterback Malik Cunningham to the practice squad.
On the surface, it looks like just another roster move. But dig a little deeper, and it’s clear: the Lions want a Lamar Jackson look-alike to help them prepare.
Who Is Malik Cunningham?
Cunningham’s NFL journey has been a winding one. Originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2023, he bounced between practice squads and active rosters before landing with the Ravens. In Baltimore, he switched from quarterback to wide receiver and spent the 2024 season learning their system inside and out.
Though he’s only logged a handful of offensive snaps, his experience in Baltimore’s playbook — combined with his dual-threat skillset — makes him the perfect scout team weapon for this week.
The Lamar Connection
It’s not just about playstyle. Cunningham was once teammates with Lamar Jackson back at Louisville, where he was a redshirt freshman during Jackson’s final season. That connection adds another layer of insight into how Jackson thinks and plays.
For defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, that kind of inside knowledge is gold when trying to slow down one of the league’s most dangerous quarterbacks.
Why This Move Matters
Detroit’s early-season momentum took a hit with a road loss, and back-to-back defeats would sting — especially against contenders like Green Bay and Baltimore. Signing Cunningham signals that the Lions are willing to do whatever it takes to avoid another slip.
Whether it pays off on game day is another story, but one thing’s for sure: Detroit is playing chess, not checkers.